Need to paint a stone fireplace how to????

Hi,

Looking to paint my fireplace as its a bit messy with bad stains that will not wipe off.
The fireplace is similar to this
[broken link removed]
But the centre is black marble which is fine its only the white part that stained and blackened.

What paint could i use and also how would I apply it I want a really smooth finish no paint streaks. Could I use a sponge of some sort like you get with crowns testing paints.

Are would a spray paint be better

what is the white part made of? was it used with a gas or open fire? if it is marble there are solutions available to remove stains.. what caused the stain? is a white fireplace suitable for an open fire - curious as would like one too.

Get hold of a magic eraser (I got one in Woodies, but have seen them in Dunnes sometimes too), and try a spot test in somewhere not too obvious. It can damage some surfaces, but for all the places it works I find it fantastic. If it works it will save a lot of hassle in painting - once you've painted you'll have to keep painting.

It is an open fire mainly coal. It seems to be some sort of white stone, not sure what though. The mantel top is white and surrounds the middle part around the fire is black marble.

Its got paint stains on it also from painting the chimney brest a different colour these will not come off either,

Any one got any other suggestions would turps work to try and clean it?

Your a legend used the magic sponge superb

Yay! I feel loved!

Where did you get the sponge out of curiousity? I've only about half of one left, and haven't seen them in the last few weeks. There's plenty left to keep me going for a while, but I want a spare!

Ebay